A little knowledge is dangerous.

My sincerest apologies to my readers for not updating this blog for a while but I've finally decided to discuss a topic that is a particular favourite of mine.

In our local community I am sure we've all encountered, on at least one occasion, the local dog 'expert' or 'dog man'. People that have owned several dogs in their lives that by either their genuine knowledge of dogs or sheer dumb luck have been able to train them to a higher ability either walking off the lead round the streets or performing various tricks in the local park for the amusement of local dog walkers. They often have stories to tell regarding experiences they've had with their dogs or recall various incredible things they have trained their present & past dogs to perform. They are all so willing to give advice based on their own personal experiences which, on face value, can come across as useful or even helpful.

 It does beg the question of, does the method and behaviour they're describing really apply to you and your dog?

I will share a story that made me question this type of person. I was walking my GSD bitch down towards the playing field when she was roughly about 4-5 months of age and an elderly man that's stopped and spoken to me several times before, sharing stories of when he was in the police force and they all had GSD's that were so well trained and always greeting my dog and giving her a biscuit while his remarkably trained Border Collie sat patiently off his lead and waited for his que to carry on up the road.

This particular time my young, excitable puppy began scrabbling on her lead to see this man wanting her usual fuss and biscuit and he went through his usual ritual with her and then he said "I can help you with that pulling business, give us her here and I promise you she will be walking like my dog." Being excited at the prospect of having a perfectly trained dog I quickly handed her over to him and he walked away with her and called her to heel which she did quite well but when he turned to come back towards me she began to scrabble again and with that he took his walking stick and cracked her on the back hard enough for her to yelp and leap out of her skin.

With that I rushed to take my dog and exchanged a few choice words and left, I never saw him again but while the experience was an unfortunate one. It was the most vital learning I had in choosing a trainer and becoming one.

There are so many people that I see now everyday that talk to me in the local park or on the internet that come from that exact same background as this man with the Border Collie, a local expert with a little knowledge that he rigidly applied to every dog because it has 'always worked for him'. Unfortunately, people are all too easily lured into believing them and 9 times out of 10 does more harm than good to their dog.

The same can be said for those who spend lots of money (and time) completing a University course in dog training & behaviour. Most of these courses provide very little practical experience and are more theory based modules looking at the motives behind certain perspectives, ideas and movements while teaching you the scientific terminology needed to use in assignments that they would probably never have to use with real clients.

I genuinely think the theory behind having qualifications is sound but its the practicalities of them that are somewhat flawed in the most dangerous ways possible. Leaving some of these qualified students blinkered to other ideas and concepts because they are taught that 'there way is the only way'.

This field of animal management is/should be practically based, there is no getting away from that. I have seen so many people who are qualified up their eyeballs with letters after their names and spending £100's or £1000's of their own hard-earned money in gaining a qualification that, I strongly, feel are not set up properly for the real, sometimes very unpredictable world of working with dogs especially those who are aggressive.

The best thing I can advise to anyone looking to train their dog is find 3-4 local classes and, before you even think about paying money to start training with, go watch  the classes at varying levels and talk to the trainer(s) there. Please notify the trainer you're interested beforehand and ask if its OK to come and observe and ask questions. If trainers make up an excuse as to why they do not want you to come & watch then they are probably hiding something they do not want outsiders to see.

Buyers beware springs to mind!